If your home feels sticky and damp while you’re running your AC, the system might not be doing its full job. Cooling and dehumidifying are two separate functions, and a system that’s keeping your home at a comfortable 72°F might still be leaving too much moisture in the air. On Long Island, where summer humidity is constant, this is one of the most common problems that families experience.

With the help of your local HVAC contractor in Suffolk County, you can find out why your home isn’t as comfortable as it should be.

Key Takeaways

• It’s possible for an air conditioner to reach the target temperature without removing enough moisture from the air.
• Oversizing, refrigerant issues, a dirty coil, or even an incorrect fan speed are all common causes of poor dehumidification.
• A Suffolk County HVAC technician can diagnose your system to see why it’s leaving excess humidity behind.

How Your AC Removes Humidity, And Why it Might Not Be Working

Your air conditioner removes moisture in the air by passing warm indoor air over a cold coil. When the air cools below its dew point, moisture condenses on the coil and drains away. If the system isn’t optimized, your home will cool down, but the air will stay damp. Even at the target temperature, the humidity will make interiors uncomfortable.

There are four common reasons why your home is humid while the AC is running:

• Your AC Unit is Oversized: An oversized unit will shut off or ramp the compressor down quickly, preventing the system from removing moisture from the air. Short cycling is a common problem in older systems that were installed without a detailed load calculation.
• There’s a Slow Refrigerant Leak: If there isn’t enough refrigerant in your system, the coil won’t get cold enough to remove moisture. The air might still feel cool coming out of your vents, but humidity will be high, and you will feel clammy and uncomfortable.
• The Evaporator Coil is Dirty: A dirty evaporator coil will struggle to remove moisture. It’s best to have your system cleaned in spring, but if you haven’t had an AC tune-up this year, you can still book one now.
• The Blower Fan is Running Too High: If the fan is set to its highest setting, there won’t be enough time for moisture to condense and drain. If your system has a “Dry” mode, simply changing to this setting can slow the air down and remove more moisture from the air.

Soundview HVAC Can Restore Your Home Comfort

Whether your problem is caused by dirty components, misconfiguration, or a faulty system, the team at Soundview HVAC can make your home comfortable again. We are available for HVAC repair and maintenance in Suffolk County. If you missed your tune-up this year, you can book one today. We will calibrate your system and ensure it’s ready to cool and dehumidify your living spaces.

Humidity can cause respiratory distress, damage to furniture and building materials, and leave your family feeling sticky and frustrated. Talk to us at 631-209-1744 to book a Suffolk County HVAC contractor today.